US embassy cable - 05SOFIA1719

S E C R E T SOFIA 001719 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2015 
TAGS: MARR, MOPS, PREL, BU, IZ, NATO, Bulgaria-Iraqi Freedom 
SUBJECT: BULGARIA PROPOSES MINIMAL FOLLOW-ON MISSION IN IRAQ 
 
REF: SOFIA 01639 
 
Classified By: AMB. JOHN BEYRLE FOR REASON 1.4 (a,b) 
 
1.   (U)  This is an action request.  See Para 8 
 
2.   (S)   Summary:  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed 
DCM Oct. 7 that Bulgaria,s follow-on military activity in 
Iraq would consist of 40 soldiers dedicated to the NATO 
Training (NTM-I) and Multi-National Security Transition 
Command (MNSTC-I) missions.  It also confirmed that the 
current contingent would remain in Iraq through the December 
elections.  The briefing ended with a request for "feedback" 
on the government,s decision.  End Summary 
 
3.   (C)  The decision was taken Oct. 4  by leaders of the 
three political parties that make up the ruling coalition, 
including PM Stanishev.  According to Plamen Bonchev,  MFA 
director for NATO and International Security,  President 
Purvanov has already been briefed on the decision, which will 
be presented to the Council of Ministers Oct. 13. This 
timeline meets their previous assurances that a final 
decision would be made before Purvanov,s Oct. 17 White House 
meeting. 
 
4.  (C)  Both the NTM-I and NATO Missions had been included 
in our Engagement Team,s brief (Ref),  although the NTM-I 
presentation stressed the need for force protection rather 
than instructors.  Bonchev said the actual positions to be 
filled in both missions would be decided at the expert level, 
but they envisioned individual officers assuming specific 
positions as they became available, rather than the 
deployment of a 40-person unit. 
 
5.  (C)   In addition, the political leaders confirmed the 
current contingent would remain in Iraq through the Dec. 15 
elections.  Its departure would begin the following week in 
order to meet the Parliamentary deadline of a December 31 
withdrawal.  Bonchev asked for U.S. logistical support in 
making this timeline work. 
 
6.   (S)  In response to Bonchev,s request for feedback, 
DCM replied there was clearly the hope for a larger and more 
meaningful contribution from Bulgaria, but we would seek an 
official Washington response. 
 
7.   (C)  Comment:  Bulgaria,s decision is disappointing, 
especially in light of its miltary,s strong desire for a 
more robust follow-on mission.    It does, however, follow a 
policy announced six months ago and will likely be acceptable 
to a much larger percentage of the Bulgarian public.  We 
believe additional contributions to other international 
missions may also be a possibility.  Given the continuing 
high political sensitivities of this  issue, we think the 
best tactics are to accept this decision with statements of 
appreciation for Bulgaria,s contributions and sacrifices in 
Iraq,  while continuing to work with them on gradually 
increasing their participation. 
 
8.   (U)  Action Request:  Please provide guidance in 
response to request for feedback on this decision.  In 
addition, it would be useful to know how many positions are 
currently available between the two missions and if an 
increase in the proposed participation would be operationally 
useful. 
BEYRLE